FDA Status
GRAS
Preservative · CAS 1948-33-0 · EU E319
TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone)
FDA status: GRAS. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
3.0 / 5
Composite safety Mixed Evidence
Score 3 of 5
TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone): 3/5 (Mixed Evidence)
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) is classified GRAS by the FDA, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 3 out of 5 (Mixed Evidence), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved.
The verdict
TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) is classified GRAS by the FDA, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it.
- 3/5
- Mixed Evidence
- GRAS
- FDA status
- Approved
- EU status
- 0
- state regulations
TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) (E319), CAS 1948-33-0, is a preservative additive holding a composite safety score of 3 out of 5 (Mixed Evidence). According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Substances Added to Food inventory, it is currently classified as GRAS, while the European Union lists it as Approved. It is most commonly used as Cooking oils, crackers, frozen pizza, microwave popcorn.
No U.S. state has enacted specific legislation targeting TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) to date, keeping federal FDA classification as the operative standard. State-level food safety legislation remains active nationally, and that picture may shift as new bills advance.
Peer-reviewed research has flagged 1 distinct area of health concern for TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone), which factors directly into the assigned safety score. The European Food Safety Authority has published an evaluation dated 2016-01-12. All figures above draw on FDA SAFFA inventory records, EU food additive regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, EFSA scientific opinions where published, and legislative records from individual U.S. states.
Regulatory Snapshot
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Status | GRAS | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | E319 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | 1948-33-0 | CAS Registry |
| Category | Preservative | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 3 / 5 (Mixed Evidence) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
| Tracked Products | Not yet tracked | Open Food Facts (US) |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
EU Status
Approved
E319
U.S. State Regulations
0 states
None enacted
Safety Assessment
TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone)'s 3/5 (Mixed Evidence) score reflects where this specific ingredient lands on that scale. The FDA classifies TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) as "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS), meaning qualified experts consider it safe under intended conditions of use.
Research has identified 1 area of health concern associated with TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone). Consumers with specific health conditions should consult a healthcare provider before consuming products containing this ingredient.
How TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) compares
Where a safety score of 3/5 falls among all 4,509 scored ingredients tracked on PlainIngredients.
Ingredients by safety score (TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) highlighted)
25 of 4,509 scored ingredients (0.6%) share a safety score of 3/5.
What is TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone)?
Synthetic antioxidant for oils and fats.
Health Concerns
- High doses cause nausea, vomiting. Some immune system concerns.
Common Uses
Cooking oils, crackers, frozen pizza, microwave popcorn
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) safe to consume?
TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) has a safety score of 3/5 (Mixed Evidence). It is approved by the FDA for use in food. As with all food additives, moderation is advisable.
What is TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) used for in food?
TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) is commonly used as: Cooking oils, crackers, frozen pizza, microwave popcorn. It belongs to the Preservative category of food additives.
Is TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) banned in any US states?
Currently, no US states have enacted specific bans or regulations targeting TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone). However, state food safety legislation is evolving rapidly.
What is the difference between FDA and EU regulation of TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone)?
The FDA classifies TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) as "GRAS", while the EU status is "Approved" (E319). The FDA and EU use separate evaluation frameworks, the EU often applies the precautionary principle, sometimes banning additives that remain approved in the US. Always check both jurisdictions when evaluating food additive safety.
What health concerns are associated with TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone)?
Research has identified the following health concerns for TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone): High doses cause nausea, vomiting. Some immune system concerns.. These findings inform its safety score of 3/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.
How is the safety score for TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) calculated?
The safety score of 3/5 for TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) is a composite assessment based on FDA regulatory status, EU approval status, published scientific research on health effects, and state-level legislative actions. A score of 1 means "Banned / Avoid" and 5 means "Generally Safe." The score is updated as new regulatory actions or scientific evidence emerge.
Data Sources
- FDA Substances Added to Food (SAFFA) Inventory
- EU Food Additive Regulations (EC) No 1333/2008
- State food safety legislation and bill records
Related Preservative Ingredients
What to do about TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone)
Use the regulatory picture, not a single score, to decide.
- Check the FDA status (GRAS) and EU status (Approved) before assuming it is risk-free. How we score
- Compare it against the most-restricted additives in the U.S. supply. View rankings
- Scan a whole ingredient label at once to flag the concerning entries. Label checker
Safety scores summarise regulatory status and published concerns; they are not medical or dietary advice.
Every figure on PlainIngredients is rendered directly from FDA, EU, EFSA and U.S. state regulatory records, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.